Monday, March 25, 2024

* SIGN OF THE TIMES: THE EXTRAORDINARY ACT

 

From the time that Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit, humankind was separated from God.  For thousands of years.  From time to time God spoke into the world through some very special people called prophets, like Elijah and Elisha, but people were still separated from God.  They did not have a good future. 

All this changed when about two thousand years ago (actually sometime around 4 BC or a little before) the son of God came into the world in the form of a person called Jesus.  God was his father, and a human woman, Mary, was his mother.  He lived here about thirty three years, the last three of which he went about preaching, teaching, and healing.  And then at the end of that time he went to the cross to be crucified.

The religious leaders of his day in Jerusalem just could not abide what he was doing.  So they pressured the Roman government to crucify him, and in the end that is what happened.  Pilate, the Roman governor in charge, actually said he found no reason to crucify Jesus.  Pilate’s wife told him to have nothing to do with Jesus because she had suffered greatly because of Jesus in a dream.  Pilate and Jesus even had some meaningful conversation during which Jesus does affirm he is King of the Jews and that Pilate would have no power over him if it were not given to him from above.

But politics finally wins out – the local religious leaders pressured Pilate, even threatened him with how the emperor Ceasar might react. And Jesus is sent to the cross.  Even on the cross Pilate had a sign put above Jesus’ head that said the king of the Jews.

You know the rest of the event.  In not a very long time, Jesus died on the cross, was buried by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, and on the third day he rose from the dead.  He came back to life not just as a spirit but as a living, breathing body.  And over the course of several weeks he met with his disciples and appeared to others.  Then eventually as described in the first chapter of Acts he ascended to Heaven and left his believers here to spread the truth of the gospel.

What is the most important truth of that?  Jesus, the son of God, the son of man, took upon himself all our sins and served as the perfect sacrifice for humanity on that cross.  Nothing else could have done that.  His death there and his resurrection restored the way for people to God.  Anyone who realizes truly what Jesus did and asks for  and accepts his forgiveness and him as Lord of their life will be with him in Heaven and in the Kingdom of God.  In his own words, Jesus said he is the way, the truth, and the life.  He is.  He still is.

Currently Jesus sits at the right hand of God.  Soon, very very soon, he will be returning to collect his believers and the final seven year Tribulation will be underway.  At the end of that Jesus returns with his holy ones, wins the battle at Armageddon, and establishes his government in Jerusalem.  The physical Kingdom of God will be on earth and we believers will participate in that.

One of our short videos being watched around the word currently deals specifically with who Jesus is.  On X (Twitter) more than half a million have been to this specific post.  It is also on YOUTUBE.  To watch just click here for a direct connection to this JESUS video on our YOUTUBE site:

Episode 8 - JUST WHO IS THIS JESUS WHO IS COMING SO SOON? (youtube.com)

 

The only reason we have hope for the future is Jesus.

The only reason we have real joy is Jesus.

The only reason we have a good future is Jesus.

 

Always remember, the only thing that really matters is Jesus and your relationship with him.

 

March 2024

 

Copyright © 2024 by John Newlin

 

 

 

Please forward copies of this to whomever you would.

 

  

 

 

KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS!

JOHN NEWLIN MINISTRIES
P O BOX 1038
CARY, NC 27518
https://johnnewlinministries.org
email: john@johnnewlinministries.org
Twitter.com/johnnewlinmin
Blog: johnnewlin.blogspot.com
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